Set up AirPods with iPad

Set up AirPods to listen to music, movies, text messages, and more. You can also use AirPods to make and answer FaceTime calls with your iPad.

Note: If you need to charge your AirPods before setup, see Charge AirPods to use with iPad.

Pair AirPods with your iPad

On iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth, then turn on Bluetooth.
Go to the Home Screen on your iPad.
Do one of the following:
- AirPods Max: Press the noise control button on the right headphone, then hold AirPods Max next to your iPad (iPadOS 14.3 or later).
- AirPods Pro or AirPods (1st and 2nd generation): Open the case with your AirPods inside, then hold it next to your iPad.
Follow the onscreen instructions, then tap Done.

Your AirPods are automatically paired with all of your supported devices where you’re signed in with the same Apple ID (iOS 10, iPadOS 13, macOS 10.12, watchOS 3, or later required).

Note: If you can’t pair your AirPods, see the Apple Support article If your AirPods won’t connect.

Find the best fit (AirPods Pro)

To see which of the included ear tips provide the best seal, run the fit detection test.

Open the AirPods case.
On iPad, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
In the list of devices, tap next to your AirPods.
Tap Ear Tip Fit Test, tap Continue, then follow the onscreen instructions.

Connect AirPods Max with an audio cable

To connect your AirPods Max to iPad with a cable instead of wirelessly, do one of the following:

iPad models that include a headphone jack: Use an Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable to connect the charging port on your AirPods Max to the headphone jack on your iPad.
Other models: Connect an Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm Audio Cable to the charging port on your AirPods Max, connect an Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter to the charging port on your iPad, then join the two 3.5 mm audio connectors.
Note: If the audio connection isn’t working, ensure that the Headphone Jack Adapter is connected to the charging port of your iPad, not to your AirPods Max.

With AirPods Max, AirPods Pro, and AirPods (2nd generation), you can also amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies to suit your hearing. See Set headphone accommodations.

Helpful?

iPad User Guide

Set up AirPods with iPad

Pair AirPods with your iPad

Find the best fit (AirPods Pro)

Connect AirPods Max with an audio cable